Sacramento – The California Transportation Commission (CTC) at its December meeting discussed the process for approving projects to receive the first phase of money from the voter-approved $19.9 billion transportation bond (Proposition 1B). The CTC said it would select projects in February that will be allocated funding from the bond’s $4.5 billion Corridor Mobility Improvement Account (CMIA) to address highly congested traffic corridors.

Regions have until January 16 to nominate projects. Projects can be nominated by regional transportation planning agencies and/or Caltrans.

The CTC will approve a final list of projects eligible to receive CMIA funding at a special meeting in Southern California on February 28.

“Californians have entrusted us with this tremendous responsibility to rebuild and revitalize the state’s transportation system,” said Caltrans Director Will Kempton. “We will move forward quickly to get construction started on projects that will reduce congestion across the state.”

In other actions at its December meeting, the CTC allocated $324 million in non-Prop. 1B funding for 50 projects throughout the state. Among those projects are:

San Bernardino - $22 million was allocated for constructing railroad grade separations to relieve congestion by eliminating at grade rail crossings near Colton.

Bakersfield - $15 million was allocated to widen State Route 178 to four lanes and construct an interchange at Fairfax Road.

Los Angeles - $158 million was allocated to rehabilitate 116 lane miles of deteriorating pavement in Long Beach to provide the traveling public with a smoother ride.

This fiscal year, the CTC has allocated $2.6 billion in non-Prop. 1B funding for 400 projects.